Secrets to Success Deborah Cole Micek and John-Paul Micek

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Success takes sacrifice

On March 10, 2008, Operation MySpace brought a live show to the troops in Kuwait -- a live show they'll probably never forget. The Pussycat Dolls, Disturbed, Jessica Simpson, DJ Z-Trip, Filter, Carlos Mencia and Metal Sanaz were all part of a show streamed live in HD at: myspace.com/operationmyspace.

I was shocked! At first I thought I'd click on Operation MySpace, check it out and leave it in the background while I multitasked and got some work done. Well, it started off with the band Disturbed, and it rocked! Mr. Funny Man, Carlos Mencia, was on next. Then, DJ Z Trip was mixin' some killer tunes to satisfy the troops.

I was impressed. This DJ is an influencer through music. He has such a talent to appeal to all different cultures of people from all different parts of the United States. Not only does he have broad appeal, but he was giving up time and money to perform for the troops. While he and all the other entertainers were performing, they were building a lifelong tribe of fans.

What I was watching and listening to was the business connection to what the social network, MySpace, is doing with Operation MySpace.

MySpace has mastered the art of bringing people together around common interests, and giving them a place to connect and talk, which leads to the best business deals when like-minded individuals bond.

How can you do that in your business -- using social networks, forums, blogs and vlogs to get people interacting at your place of business? Gather people on your front lawn and you'll gather more clients, fans, and tribe members to your company.

One word was the theme of that March event that was happening live from Kuwait -- and that word is "sacrifice."

The men and women serving in the U.S. military exhibit one common trait that too many new business owners forget about: the concept of sacrifice.

I've heard too many business owners whining recently about how they want everything instantly: quick cash, instant clients and, more business. They want their business to expand overnight, yet they are unwilling to put in a little extra to yield the big rewards.

So, with that in mind, if you're a successful business owner, what are some of the things that you have sacrificed over the years as you built your business. Of course, it's nothing like what our troops sacrifice. The levels of sacrifice are many! But, please let me know what you have sacrificed with others. Help me encourage other new entrepreneurs to realize that while business ownership has its rewards, it also comes with sacrifice.

What are you going to have to sacrifice to grow your business? Like the entertainers who appeared on the live OperationMySpace who sacrificed their time and money and will ultimately grow their fans, what are you willing to sacrifice in order to bring your business vision into reality -- and push through the difficult times?